Abstract

Research into natural organic matter (NOM) removal in drinking water treatment processes is mostly independent, distributed, disconnected and unable to meet the needs of technology application; therefore, an assessment of the value of NOM treatment processes is necessary. In this paper, a hybrid evaluation model based on rough set theory and a matter-element model was used to evaluate the value of eight NOM removal processes. The counting process of the weighting factor did not include any subjective information which avoided the artificial factor deviation and made the evaluation more objective. The result indicated that in addition to the MIEX + coagulation + sedimentation + filtration (MCSF) treatment process, the rest of the NOM treatment processes had a certain value; the coagulation + sedimentation + filtration + adsorption (CSFA) and coagulation + sedimentation + filtration + membrane (CSFM) treatment processes had the highest values which meant that these treatment processes could remove the NOM in drinking water effectively. It also illustrated that the coagulation + sedimentation + adsorption + membrane (CSAM) treatment process had high feasibility, which has important significance for guaranteeing the safety of drinking water.